Former Sactwu consultant, Richard Kawie, is alleged in court papers to have been paid R8-million for his work as a consultant.
Sactwu officials say that about 20 000 workers are affected by the missing pension funds, but others claim many more workers stand to lose.
Trade union pension and provident funds control billions of rands, the oversight of which is too often carried out by a small network.
The Financial Services Board is investigating the investment in 2007 of R420-million of pension funds belonging to Sactwu members.
Cosatu has asked ANC president Jacob Zuma to add two more of its leaders to his Cabinet to strengthen the left’s influence in government.